In recent years, Mixed Ability Rugby has become much more prominent in the domestic rugby landscape in Ulster, with the formation of the Malone Tornadoes and Banbridge Barbarians.
Mixed Ability Rugby focuses on inclusion and integration of people with disabilities with their non-disabled peers while retaining a healthy level of competition, and does not classify players by physical, intellectual or mental disabilities or barriers.
It also provides an opportunity for current, past, or retired players to play alongside participants with or without disabilities in a 15-a-side full contact game which retains world rugby laws.
Malone Tornadoes were the first Mixed Ability Rugby team formed in Ulster. The club identified that there was a lack of provision for adults with disabilities to come together and play the game.
The formation of Tornadoes provided the platform for participants over the age of 18 with physical, mental and learning disabilities to continue to develop their skills and improve their mental health, physical fitness, and lifestyle through rugby.
As the Tornadoes grew from season to season, it inspired other clubs to explore and consider their options. In 2019, Banbridge decided to establish their own Mixed Ability Rugby team to expand the opportunities in rugby for people with disabilities from their wider community.
Through the enthusiastic people involved with both clubs, Mixed Ability Rugby is thriving and continues to grow and on a cold winter’s night in December 2021, the clubs faced each other head on.
The fixture presented a fantastic opportunity to showcase the great effort and hard work which has been invested by both clubs and their players, as well as the skills they have developed.
In addition, the Tornadoes and Barbarians have been invited to take part in the Mixed Ability Rugby World Cup in June 2022 which will be held in Cork.
This is a significant achievement by both teams and is testament to the effort Malone RFC and Banbridge RFC have made to create opportunities for people with disabilities in our game.
For more information on Mixed Ability Rugby, please contact David McKay – IRFU Disability & Inclusion Officer - david.mckay@irfu.ie